Should I convert to CSS

[mryang]

Hi everyone,

My main site is Blank dvd disc and case products for duplication and replication - it has many javascript menus and tons of code relating to styles etc buried in the pages + it is mainly table based and html with php

Should I convert to CSS - what benefits will I get or is it more hassle than it's worth + is there anyone on here that would set me up the basic template to get me going - or is there a CSS conversion tool (or am I wishing!)...

All help appreciated.

[DaveSawers]

Converting an existing site is unlikely to bring much, if any benefit. If you are considering a redesign then doing it the CSS way should not cost more than doing it the old way, apart from any learning time you might need.

[james113]

A website structured with tables is not a bad thing. If the design requires a lot of tables to be nested within other tables as your site does, this can result in a lot of code for the spiders to sort through. Using an external CSS file to format and position content will result in a lot less code for the spiders to deal with which is always good. Good luck!

[thindenim]

I would definitely recommend converting to css. The learning curve can be steep at first, but once you get your head round it you won't look back!

css play is a good place to start as it has a myriad of layout and menu tutorials which will help you see what can be achieved.

[ran_dizolph]

If you were to rebuild your current site using table-less layout, external CSS, and minimal javascript, your markup would be a small fraction of the size it is right now.

Given that you (as far as i figure anyways) are in a very competitive online market, you could probably use all the help you can get, and leaner markup would be that.

[DaveSawers]

Originally Posted by ran_dizolph

If you were to rebuild your current site using table-less layout, external CSS, and minimal javascript, your markup would be a small fraction of the size it is right now.

This is a bit of an urban myth! yes the site will PROBABLY be a little smaller but for sure it won't be a "small fraction of the size". Most of the size of a web site is in the graphics, not the markup.

[ran_dizolph]

Most of the size of a web site is in the graphics, not the markup.

I'm simply referring to the extraneous markup the SE spiders have to sift through to get to the meat of the site.

Ditching tables (properly executed mind you), going external CSS and minimal Javascript would get rid of a good chunk of that extra stuff that really doesn't need to be there.

[dharrison]

Hi mryang

I would definitely say convert to CSS.

If you have external stylesheet(s) then you haven't got to keep adding the same old thing to your pages, reducing the risk of errors and in turn reducing filesize significantally (not a fraction but reduced nevertheless).

As for the JavaScript, there are some good CSS rollover menus thus eliminating the need for the <script> and <noscript> tags reducing the filesize further. Stu Nicholls | CSSplay | A CSS flyout menu that works in IE is similar to your side menu and Stu Nicholls | CSSplay | Validating drop down cross-browser menu for the top. However check the copyright notice as permission must be granted to use the menus for commercial sites.

Hope this helps and rest assured that there are plenty of bods on here that are only too willing to help you if you get stuck or need that basic template.

[John Redfield]

If its works now dont fix it...

But if its not working for you, then yes.... definitely

[zeruel]

You should definitely convert it to CSS layout. I think it would be better do it that way.